Loom having a common frame for the warp and cloth beams

ABSTRACT

The warp beam and cloth beam are both mounted at the rear of the loom with the warp beam over the cloth beam. The warp yarn is then led downwardly and across to the loom while the cloth is led downwardly and under the loom for take-up on the cloth beam.

United States Patent 1 Pfarrwaller [s4] LOOM HAVING A COMMON FRAME FORTHE WARP AND CLOTH BEAMS 75 Inventor: Erwin Piarrwaller, Winterthur,

Switzerland [73] Assignee: Snlzer Brothers, Ltd., Winterthur,

Switzerland 1 [22] Filed: Oct. 29, 1968 21 App1.No.: 771,472

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 19, 1968 Switzerland..1,0903/68 [52] US. Cl. ..139/1, 139/97, 139/304 [51] Int. Cl. ..D03d49/02, D03d 49/04 [58] Field of'Search "139/ 97, 1, 304, 307, 308;28/32, 41, 42; 66/86 A; 242/55, 67.3

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,068,534 1/1937 Costello .L.l "139/304 [111 3,724,513 [4 1 Apr. 3, 1973 2,424,400 7/1947 Kronoff..l39/1 2,447,227 8/1948 Bergstrom 2,811,176 10/1957 Mangum 2,994,9398/1961 Matthewsw.

3,502,115 3/1970 Barnett 139/1 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 665,4285/1929 France .L ..'....139/304 1,018,409 1/1966 Great Britain ..l39/304179,406 11/1935 Switzerland .....139/304 1,132,170 10/1968 1 GreatBritain 139/1 Primary Examiner-James KeeChi Attorney-Kenyon & KenyonReilly Carr & Chapin [57] ABSTRACT The warp beam and cloth beam are bothmounted at the rear of the loom with the warp beam over the cloth beam.The warp yarn is then led downwardly and across to the loom while thecloth is led downwardly and under the loom for take-up on the clothbeam.

21 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures ea 57 3051 1a 6251 67 7b 49 3o 59 71,

PATENTEDAFRB ma SHEET E OF mini-R E m WQN N Qi MK m N W w lave/liar.-EF? W/N PFARFPWAL LER A TTO NEVS PATENTEDAFR 3 I975 SHEET 6 OF 6 ATTOEXS LOOM HAVING A COMMON FRAME FOR THE WARP AND CLOTH BEAMS Thisinvention relates to a loom. More particularly, this invention relatesto a loom having a warp beam and a cloth beam.

Heretofore, looms have been known to carry warp have sometimes beenmounted on inclined planes so as to raise the warp beam end. This,however, has permitted the use of warp beams of a diameter only up toabout 800 millimeters.

Since the warp yarns usually require ready access at least along thelength between the warp beam and the edge of the cloth, i.e., at thereed, it has not been possible to have the loom exceed a certainstructural elevation. Thus, in order to place a warp beam of a diametergreater than 800 millimeters into the frame, the loom would requirelifting to such an extent as to impede the operators in the handling ofthe warp yarns, for example, during repair of any warp yarn breaks orduring work on the shafts or other surrounding mechanism in the'loom.Further, as a rule, it has also not been appropriate to raise the loommachine frame at the cloth side since access has been required from thisside, for

instance, for the repair of weft yarn breaks and in view of the factthat the various shafts should be readily accessible over the entirewidth of the machine.

It has hitherto been customary to wind material on a cloth beam up to adiameter of approximately 500 mm in each case, whereupon the cloth iscut off, the full cloth beam is removed, and another, empty cloth beamis inserted. This process must be repeated several times until theentire warp has .been woven off. Depending on the operating conditionsor the type of the fabric to be manufactured, for instance in cottonmills for staple goods, in the processing of continuous filaments aswell as in the manufacture of ground weaves of the carpet or tireindustry, it has however been desired to have available for furtherprocessing, tag. for printing or dyeing of the cloth or for theapplication of the carpet pile, on account of economy considerations, amaximum possible one-piece length of the cloth.

A further requirement with regard to efficient weaving mill operationhas been the reduction of the downtime of the machine resulting from thereplacing of the warp beams, or from the preparation of the warp,respectively. The objective in these cases has, there fore, been toobtain cloth beams as well as warp beams with maximum possible lapdiameters. However, warp and cloth beams of this size cannot be mountedon the heretofore known looms because such would impede the ease ofoperation of the looms.

It has also been known to arrange the warp beam above the healds orheddles of a loom on a supporting frame borne by the machine frame. Inthis arrangement, it has indeed been possible to use a large warp beam,however, a cloth beam of corresponding size cannot be used. Furthermore,the nap and the size which become detached from the warp upon unwindingmay sometimes fall on the warp threads situated beneath the warp beamand enter the shed thereby creating faults in the weaving. In addition,access to the warp thread stop-motion mechanism and the heddles from therear side (warp beam side) of the machine has been blocked by the warpthreads fed in from above. Furthermore, this arrangement has beenattended by the risk that the vibrations of the loom machine frame canbe transmitted to the relatively heavy warp beam supporting frame borneon the machine frame.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to equip a loom withrelatively large warp beams.

It is another object of the invention to provide a loom with relativelylarge warp and cloth beams without elevating the loom machine frame.

It is another object of the invention to selecta warp beam diameterindependently of the elevation of the loom machine frame.

It is another object of the invention to permit ready access to the warpyarns in a loom.

It is another object of the invention to provide a loom with enlargeddiameter warp and cloth beams within a limited floor space. i 1 I It-isanother object of the invention to reduce the downtime required tochange the warp beams of a loom.

Briefly, the invention provides a loom wherein a warp beam and a clothbeam are mounted in substantially superpositioned bearings on a supportframe out,- side the machine frame of the loom. Preferably, this supportframe is formed as a structural unit.

The installation and removal of the warpand cloth beams in thisarrangement is extremely simple as compared to previously usedtechniques. Further, the warp and cloth beams can be of a diameter of1,200 millimeters or more thus making possible long running times of theloom with long piece lengths of the finished cloth. Still further,replacement of the respective beams and any required machine overhaul,such as cleaning, lubricating, and the like, can occursimultaneously.

In order to permit access to the loom from all sides,

the warp yarns are guided from the warp beam first downwardly and arounda guide situated close to the mill floor, thence along the floor toanother guide, and next upwardly to a guide situated at the warp side ofthe machine frame. Similarly, the cloth is guided over a guide situatedon the cloth side of the machine frame downwardly and over a guidesituated close to the mill floor,thence along the mill floor to anotherguide, and

next upwardly toa guide positioned adjacent the cloth beam. The warp andcloth beams are also spaced from the loom a sufficient distance as toprovide an access space between the loom and beams for the loomoperators.

In order to permit the warp yarns to be controlled over their lengths,the support frame is preferably arranged on the warp side of the loomwith the access space between the loom and beams being defined by theU-shaped path of the warp yarns let-off from the warp'beam. In thismanner, all the warp yarns are accessible so as to permit theperformance of any work by l the operator required during loomoperation, such as, the checking of the stopmotion' mechanism or therepair of warp yarn breaks. v

In order to minimize the load of the loom construction, a supportinglink is used between the machine frame and the beam support structure sothat at least a part of the forces generated by weaving on the beamsupport can be transmitted to the machine frame for balancing with theforces that are generated at that point.

The support structure of the beams further includes girders which carrythe machine frame thereon. As a result, the weight of the machine frameis capable of substantially counteracting a moment exerted on'thesupport structure. In addition, the position of the beams or of theguides for the warp and the cloth as well as the position of drive meansfor the beams can be precisely maintained with respect to the machineframe. Also, a brace can be connected between the support structure andmachine frame to improve the stability of the support structure.

For the purpose of optimum utilization of the available weaving millfloorspace, as a further improvement, the support structure of theinvention contains bearing and related supporting devices for supportingthe warp and cloth beams of an adjacent loom. As a result, the spacingbetween the machines can be kept at a minimum despite the use of largesize beams.

In one embodiment, a platform is movably mounted in the access spacebetween the machine frame and the support structure. This allows accessto the space between the beams and machine frame while avoiding damageto the sections of warp yarn and cloth running along the mill floorbeneath this space. In one instance, the platform is supported bypivotal guide rollers on two guides disposed on the support frame acrossthe access space. Preferably, the platform is provided with four guiderollers with at least two of the guide rollers having a rolling surfaceshaped correspondingly to the profile of the respective guide. Thelength of the platform is also smaller than half the width of the wovenmaterial so that, by a corresponding displacement of the platform, thewarp and the cloth are accessible across their entire width. 7

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become moreapparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a vertical sectional view through a weaving millincorporating a loom of the invention;

FIG. 1a illustrates a view taken on line Il of FIG. 2; FIG. 2illustrates a top view of the loom of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 illustrates a viewsimilar to FIG. 1 of a common beam support structure for a pair ofadjacent loom machine frames according to the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a view similar to FIG. 1 of a pair of adjacent loomsconnected together according to a Referring to FIG. 1, the weaving millincludes a weaving shed 1 in which a large number of looms 2 areinstalled; however, for purposes of clarity only one loom 2 isillustrated and only those parts necessary to describe the mode ofoperation of the loom 2 are shown. The loom 2 is, for example, a grippershuttle loom with weft winder reserve cheeses 3 (FIG. 2) mounted on abobbin frame 4 secured to the machine frame.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the loom machine frame comprises two sidesupports 5,6 which are jointed by a cross-beam 7 (FIG. 2). Theside walls5,6 are spaced apart a distance somewhat greater than the'maximumweaving width in order to accommodate the various drive means of theloom 2. In addition, the side supports 5,6 are attached by means ofbolts 8 to two channel shaped girders 11,12 which are disposedhorizontally along the floor of the mill and which are of a lengthgreater than that of the side supports 5,6. The girders ,1 1,12 aredisposed on the warp side of the loom 2 and are connected at their freeends by means of a horizontal girder 13 to a frame situated on the floorof the weaving shed 1. The girders 11,12 are arranged with their legsfacing inwardly, i.e., towards one another, and, in the area of themachine frame, have a shape which tapers downwardly toward the cloth endof the loom 2. In addition, the upper flanges of the girders 11,12 inthe tapered region each forms a bearing surface for the side supports5,6 which is sloped with frame, two additional vertical channel shapedgirders I 16,17 are mounted near the ends of the horizontal girders ll,12 with their legs facing outwardly. The girders 14,15 are eachconnected by a brace with the machine frame and are interconnected attheir upper ends by means of a cross beam 18 fashioned from a pipe. Thegirders 11-15 and cross 18 form a support structure 76 for a warp beamconsisting of two partial warp beams 21,22 and a cloth beam 26 (FIG. 1).

In addition to the support structure 76 an additional support structure76' of identical design is disposed in spaced relation thereto forcorresponding beams 21", 22', 26 of an adjacent loom (not shown), thewarp side of which faces the warp side of the loom 2. The partial warpbeams 21,22 on which the warp yams 10 are wound are borne by shafts 20a,20 respectively. The two shafts 20a, 20 are pivotally positioned in twoexternal bearings 19 affixed to the girders 14,15 and in a centralcommon intermediate bearing 19c. The intermediate bearing is secured toa supporting means 50 (FIGS. 1a, 2) adjustably attached to the crossbeam 18 in depending manner. The supporting means 50 comprises two yokes142 which are clamped to the cross beam 18 by means of a screwconnection 141. In order to secure the supporting means 50 againstrotation around the cross-beam 18, a key 143 is formed on the cross beam18 and positioned in slots in the supporting means (FIG. 1a). If partialwarp beams of different lengths are used, the supporting means 50 andthe bearing 19c can be displaced axially with respect to the cross beam18 and be fastened at any desired distance from the vertical girders14,15.

A yoke 19a is articulated to each bearing 19, 190

I over the shafts 20, 20a with the free end attached to the pivotallysupport two guide rolls 24,25. These guide 7 rolls 24,25 are provided,respectively, in gritty beam fashion, with a roughened surface in theweaving width area.

The two girders 16,17 serve to support the cloth beam 26 that takes upthe finished cloth 30 and which is constituted by a tube open on eitherside. A guide tube 27 of smaller diameter than the cloth beam 26 ismovably mounted in the ends of the cloth beam 26 to project between theflanges of the two vertical girders 16,17 so as to guide the cloth beam26 vertically therealong.

Referring to FIG. 6, the length of the guide tube 27 is dimensioned insuch a way that there is a minimum possible clearance between its endsand the flanges of the girders 16,17. In order to secure the cloth beam26 against axial displacement, the two ends of the beam 26 are guidedbetween two locking rings 28 which are displaceably arranged andfastened by means of a respective screw 29 on the guide tube 27. Theguide rollers 24,25 are spaced at such a distance from one another thatthe cloth beam 26 bears against them in its lowermost position 26a,i.e., at the beginning of the winding process to be described below.

During operation, the warp yarns (or 10a in the case of the woven offwarp beam) are guided from the warp beams 21,22 via the guide roller 32and two guide rollers 33,34 pivotally positioned in bearings 8 (FIG. 2)on the webs of the girders 11,12 to a tensioning beam 36 pivoted arounda fulcrum 35 and from there via guide rolls 37 and subsequently througha number of heddles 38 up to the reed abutment 39 where the clothbegins. A stop-motion mechanism 40 is disposed between the guide rollers37 in order to produce a signal for the disconnecting of the loom drivein the case of a break of a warp yam.

In order to place the warp yarns 10 on the loom 2, the guide rollers33,34 are removed from the bearings 8 which are suitably designed forsuch, an adequate length of warp yarn is wound off from the warp beams21,22 and the heddles 38 with the warp yarns inserted therein areinstalled in the loom 2. Thercupon, the warp yarns 10 are guided towardthe floor between the guide roller 32 and the tensioning beam 36.Subsequently, the deviating. rollers 33,34 are reinserted into theirbearings 8 over the parts of the warp yarns 10 running along the floor.

The heddles 38, as is known, serve to form a shed 41 into which a weftyarn '43 drawn from a cross-wound bobbin 3 (FIG. 2) is fed between thecloth edge 39 and a reciprocating reed 42 supported in the loom by meansof a gripper shuttle 44 and by a weft mechanism (not shown) arranged atthe side frame 5. The gripper shuttle 44 is braked by means of a.gripping mechanism 45 arranged at the side frame 6 whereupon it releasesthe inserted weft yarn 43. The weft yarn 43 then is cut off at the weftside of the loom and subsequently struck by the reed 42 in the end ofthe shed 41, i.e., against the cloth edge 39 thereby forming the cloth30. Thereu pon, the shed is alternated by the heddles 38 and anotherweft yarn'fed into the newly formed shed.

The finished cloth 30 is guided at the cloth side of the machine over abreast beam 46 as well as a cloth delivery roller (gritty beam) 47provided with a roughened surface and subsequently over a guide roller48 downwardly to another guide roller 49 borne by the girders 11,12 inthe loom frame zone and from there along the floor to another guideroller 51 borne by the girders 11,12 and, by partial looping of theguide roller 24, upwardly to the cloth beam 26 arranged at the warp sideof the loom 2.

The warp yarns 10 run substantially vertically between the guide roller32 and the deflecting roller 33 as well as between the deflecting roller34 and the tensioning beam 36 and substantially horizontally between thedeflecting rollers 33,34. Between the guide rollers 49,51, the cloth 30is likewise guided in a substantially horizontal path running betweenthe horizontal section of the warp yarns 10 and the floor of the weavingshed '1. The distance between the loom 2 and the girders 14,15 isselected in' such a way thata space 52 accessible to the operatingstaff, which is laterally defined by the vertically running parts of thewarp yarns 10, is created from which the different parts of the loom, e.g. the stop-motion mechanism 40 and the heddles 38, are accessible overthe entire width of the machine. The spacing of the guide rollers 24,25from the girders 14,15 is controlled by the maximum lap diameter of thecloth beam 26, in such a way that a pre-determined minimum spacingexists between its outermost lap layer and the vertical section of thewarp yarns 10 running to the deflecting roller 33. i

In order to prevent damage to the sections of the warp yarns 10 or ofthe cloth 30 running above the floor upon entry into the space, amovable platform 53 is arranged on the girders 11,12. The width of theplatform 53 is less than the spacing between the guide rollers 33,34 byan amount sufficient to form a gap between one of the platform edges andthe adjacent vertical section of the warp yarn 10 and the adjacent guideroller 33,34 so as to permit repair of yarn breaks likely to occur inthe horizontally running sections of the warp yarns.

Referring to FIG. 1, the loom 2 is actuated by an electric motor 54 viaa belt drive 55 and a flywheel 56 fitted onto a main shaft 57 whichtransmits movement to all the mechanical elements belonging to the loom,e.g., the heddles 38 and the reed 42., as well as the warp beams 21,22and the cloth beam 26.

The warp beams 21,22 are actuated by two sprocket wheels 58 respectivelyarranged at the inner sides of the lateral frame side supports 5,6 andwhich are connected ear-wise with one another by means of a differentialgear (not shown) and with the main shaft 57 (see FIG. 1, in which thedrives of the warp beam 22 of the loom 2 as well as the warp beam 21 ofthe adjacent loom are shown). An endless drive chain 59 passes from eachof the two sprocket wheels 58 over two pairs of deflecting rollers 61,62mounted in the webs of the girders 11,12 to a chain wheel 60 mounted inthe girders 15,14, via a pinion 63. The pair of deflecting rollers 61 isdisposed beneath the loom 2 and the pair of deflecting rollers 62 isdisposed under the girders 15,14, respectively, in such a way that thetwo stringers of the drive chain 59 are conducted along a substantiallyU-shaped path.

The cloth beam 26 is actuated by a sprocket wheel 65, arranged at thelateral frame side support 6 on the cloth side of the loom 2, which isdriven from the main shaft 57 via a slip clutch 66. An endless chain 67runs from the chain wheel 65 over two pairs of deflecting rollers 68,69,mounted in the vertical leg of the girder 12, under the 100m 2 and to achain wheel 70 situated at the vertical leg of the girder 12 on an axisrunning between the cloth beam guide rollers 24,25. The chain wheel 70is connected to a pinion 71 engaging two gears 72,73 of identical sizewhich are respectively connected with the guide rollers 24 and 25. Thedriving forces of the guide rollers 24,25 are transmitted by friction tothe cloth beam 26 (in the position 26a) and to the cloth lap 30a. Thecloth beam 26 is driven in identical manner, however, the correspondingdriving chain runs along the girder 12 (FIG. 2) not visible in FIG. 1.

During the weaving operation, the warp beams 21,22

. are caused to rotate in steps in the direction indicated by the arrow74 (FIG. 1) thereby feeding a warp length corresponding to that of thedelivered cloth. The tensioning beam 36 generates the required tensionin the warp yarns. The drive of the warp beams 21,22 is also controlledaccording to the respective position of the tensioning beam 36 in per seknown manner. For instance, if a warp length is drawn off that is toosmall by comparison with the cloth delivered, the tensioning beam 36that holds the tension of the warp constant is moved slightly downwardaround the fulcrum 35 (FIG. 1). As a result, by means of a controlmechanism (not shown) a slip clutch, constituting a part of 'the warpbeam drive is influenced in such a way that the sprocket wheels 58 areactuated for a longer period thereby letting off a correspondinglygreater warp length from the warp beams 21,22. If, conversely, a warplength is drawn off that is too great by comparison with the delivery ofthe cloth, the tensioning beam 36 moves upward and, as a result, thesprocket wheels 58 are actuated for a shorter interval so that acorrespondingly shorter warp length is let off. By means of thedifferential gearing connecting the two sprocket wheels 58, tensioningdifferences between the sets of warp threads running off from the twobeams 21,22 are eliminated.

The finished cloth fed from the cloth side of the loom 2 beneath themachine is taken up on the cloth beam 26 which rotates in steps in thedirection indicated by the arrow 75 under the influence .of the guiderollers 24,25. Upon starting of the weaving operation, the cloth beam 26is in the lowermost position 26a in contact, for instance, with theguide roller 25 while a layer of cloth is situated between the clothbeam and the guide roller 24. With the advance of the take-up process,this first fabric layer attains the posiraised until reaching thepositionv illustrated in FIG. 1.

The guide tube 27 (FIG. 6) arranged between the girders 16,17 guaranteesthat the. cloth beam 26 will at all times assume a center position abovethe guide rollers 24,25, in which the lap bears on both guide rollers24,25.

A horizontal girder 77 is mounted at the ceiling of the weaving shed 1along an axis running between the supporting structures 76, 76 parallelto the axes of the beams 21,22,26. This girder 77 carries, by means offixtures 78, a track 79 which serves as an overhead track for hoistingequipment 80. The girder 77 is attached in the area of the twosupporting structures 76,76 to three girders 81 and81' (FIG. 2) likewisemounted at the ceiling and at right angles thereto and which arearranged parallel to the girders 11,12 above the looms facing oneanother. These girders 81, 81 in turn carry likewise by means of holdingdevices 78, tracks 82, 83, 84, respectively 82, 83, 84, which areconnected with the track 79 in known manner through an intermediateelement 85 provided with a switch means.

The two external girders 81 and 81 with the tracks 82, 84 and 82, 84respectively, are arranged above a line running between the girders11,12 and the outermost yarns of the warp yarns 10, whereas the centralgirder 81 and 81" is arranged with the track 83 and 83 above the axes ofthe loom 2 running between the two warp beams 21,22. By means of thetrack 79, a plurality of looms arranged, for instance, in two rowsparallel with respect to one another can be charged with beams. Thetrack 79 connects the weaving shed l with a room (not shown) in whichthe warp beams are prepared and the cloth beams processed. I

If the entire warp 10 has been unwound from the warp beams 21,22, then,if the new warp beam to be inserted contains the identical warp yarns,the warp yarn ends are prepared for joining to the new warp. Thereupon,the finished cloth is cut off, for instance, at the cloth beam.

In order to remove the warp beams 21,22, two hoisting devices 80 are runover the track 79 and the correspondingly set switches, one to each ofthe tracks 83,84. After the yokes 19a of the bearings 19, have beenuntightened and moved back, the hooks 86 of the hoisting equipment 80are moved under the two ends of the shaft 20a and raised simultaneously.Thereupon, the two hoisting devices 80 are brought to the track 79 andmoved away laterally (arrow 87). In the same manner, the warp beam 22 istaken off by means of two hoisting devices 80 running over the tracks82,83 and carried away.

In similar manner, the fully wound cloth beam 26 is taken off by twohoisting devices 80 which are run on the tracks 82,84 whereupon thehooks 86 are brought beneath the two ends of the cloth beam 26 andlifted up to a point where the cloth beam 26 and the guide tube 27, issituated above the girders 16,17. Thereupon, the

hoisting devices 80 are brought to the track 79 and likewise carriedaway laterally (arrow 87).

In the next phase, another empty cloth beam with a guide tube 27inserted therein is brought in by the hoisting devices 80, introducedbetween thegirders 16,17, and placed onto the guide rollers 24,25.Finally, in corresponding fashion, another two fully wound warp beams22" fitted on a shaft 20" are inserted into the corresponding bearings19,190.

The yarns of the new warp are joined to the ap propriately preparedyarns of the preceding warp and the cut-off fabric end is attached tothe new cloth beam. Thereupon weaving operations can resume.

Referring to FIG. 3, wherein like parts are designated with identicalreferences, the weaving mill also houses a plurality of looms 2 in aweaving shed 101 in two rows with their warp sides facing one anotherand designed identically to those shown in FIG. 1. The loom 2 is merelysuggested by an outline. The side frame sup ports 5,6 of the loom 2,2are mounted on two continuous channel-shaped girders 91, only one ofwhich is shown for clarity. The girders 91 are arranged with theirflanges facing inside and, in the area of the two loom frames, arerespectively provided with a tapered girder end.

The warp beams 21,22 and 21', 22 seated on the shafts 20,20a,respectively and belonging to the looms 2,2, of which only the frontbeams can be seen, are arranged in the center between the two machines2,2 on a freestanding frame joined toone of the beams 91.

This frame consists of two channel-shaped girders 92 which are providedwith lateral reinforcing ribs 93 and a cross beam 18 joining their freeends. The girders 91,92 constitute with the beam 18 a supportingstructure 96 for the beams 21, 22,26 or 21, 22, 26' belonging to the twolooms 2,2.

.A plate 94 is mounted on the mutually facing flanges of the girders92beneath the cross beam 18 while projecting to either side andsupporting at its free ends the outer bearings 19, symmetricallyarranged with respect to the longitudinal axis of the girder 92, for theshafts 20a, 20 of the warp beams 21, 22,21,22'. The intermediatebearings 19c for the shafts 20a,20 are attached to a T-shaped suspensionmeans 50a (FIG. 3a) which is suspended from the cross beam l8.atidentical spacings from the two girders 92.

The guide rollers 24,25, as well as the guide carriers 16, 17 of thecloth beams 26,26 are arranged on the girders 91 likewise symmetricallywith respect to the longitudinal axis of the girders 92. The spacings ofthe girders 16,17 and the bearings 19, from the girder 92 are determinedby the maximum diameter of the warp and cloth beams to be used.

Brackets 95 are mounted on the flanges of the girder 92 beneath thebearings 19 to carry the guide rollers 32 for the warp yarns and 10a.The length of each bracket 95 is dimensioned in such a way that the partof the warp yarns 10 running between the guide rollers 32,33 passes thefully wound cloth beam 26,26 at a predetermined minimum distance.Furthermore, a bearing 97 is secured on the bracket 95 to carry a chainwheel 98 via a pinion 99. The pinion 99 engages the gears 64 of the warpbeams 21 and 22, respectively.

The warp yarns 10 and the finished fabrics 30 are guided according tothe example illustrated in FIG. 1.

the chain wheel 70. The driving chain for the cloth beam 26 runs alongthe rear girder 91 that cannot be seen in FIG. 3.

As above, girders 77, 77 are mounted on the ceiling of the weaving shed101 above the beams 21,22,26 and 21,22'Li belonging to the looms 2 and 2in parallel to their axes. Both girders 77,77 are provided with tracks79 and are connected in the area of the supporting structure 96 withcross beams 102, 103, 103 with respect to the supporting structure 96 asthe girders 81,81 described above (FIG. 2) with respect to thesupporting structure 76,76. Tracks 104,105,105 are attached to thegirders 102,103,103 via an intermediary element with the track 79.

In the case of this arrangement, the inserting and removing of the warpand cloth beams at the two looms 2,2, i.e. at two rows of looms, canoccur completely independently of one another or simultaneously. Thesequence of the various operational phases corresponds to that describedabovewith regard to FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 4, the weaving shed 106 comprises two looms 2,2arranged, on two girders'9l, as in FIG. 3. Each one of the girders 91carries a frame in the center between the two looms 2, which is formedby two vertically arranged channelshaped sections 107,108 and acrossbeam 109 joining their upper ends and arranged parallel to thegirder 91. The two girders 91 are interconnected by means of two crossbeams '18, the ends of which are connected to the respective verticallegs of the girders as well as to a connection plate 140 arranged on theupper girder flange. V

The support structure 110 constituted by the girders 91, 107, 108, 109supports the beams 21,22,26 and 21,22LP corresponding to the looms 2,2.The cloth beams 26,26 are supported above the warp beams 21,22, and21,22 on their guide rollers 24,25, the

bearings 23 of which are connected to the girder 109 together with theguide carriers 16,17. The outer bearings 19 for the shafts 20a,20 of thewarp beams 21,22; 21,22 are respectively attached to theinwardly facinglegs of the sections 107, 108, with their free ends projecting towardthe corresponding loom. The intermediate bearings 19c for the inner endsof the shafts 20a, 20 are respectively arranged on a support means 50b(FIG. 4a) attached between the girders 92 on the cross beams 18.

The warp yarns 10 run in a preferably short path from the warp beams21,22; 2],22' to the deflecting roller 33 from there, as in the case ofthe other examples, to the loom 2,2'.The finished cloth 30 is guidedover the deflecting roller 49 and a deflecting roller 1 l1 situatedbetween the sections 107,108 at the legs of the girders 91 to the guiderollers 24 and the cloth beam 26,26. The spacing of the deflectingrollers 111 from the sections 107 and 108 is selected in suchaway thatthe cloth 30 travelling toward the guide rollers 24 cannot touch thefully wound warp beams 21,22'and 21,22

112 are mounted in the area of the space 52 between I the girders 91.Each platform 112 is provided with four pivotally arranged guide rollers113,114 and is carried by a respective pair thereof on the deflectingrollers 34',35' for the warp yarns 10. The deflecting rollers 34',35'are supported in bearings 8' (FIG. 7) mounted on the girders 91 andsecured against rotation. The two guide rollers 114 supported on thedeflecting roller 33 are provided with cylindrical bearing surfaces,whereas the bearing surfaces of the two guide rollers 113 are shaped tocorrespond to the surface of the deflecting roller 34, by means of whichthe platform 112 is laterally guided. The length of each platform 1 12is slightly smaller than one third of the spacing between the girders 91so that, through selective displacement of the platforms 1 12 in thedirection of the longitudinal axes of the deflecting rollers 33,34 alittle more than one third of the width of the weave is accessible atall times and,- hence, the horizontal sections of the Warp yarns 10.

Each one of the two platforms 1 12 is tensioned with respect to theadjacent girder 91 by means of an elastic cord 151 made, for instance ofrubber. The ends of the cord 151 are attached to holding means 152 and153 respectively attached to the girder 91 and the platform 1 12. Bymeans of the two cords 151, the two platforms 112 are each held in therespective area of the girders 91 thereby permitting access to theoperator from either side at any time.

In order to reach the center area of the space 52, the operator standingon the platform 112 can support himself against the tensioning beam 36,for instance, in such a way that the platform 112 is moved toward theinside away from the girder 91. In this process, the cord 151 istensioned in such a way that the platform 112, if the operator leavesthe space 52 via the other platform 112, is pulled back into its initialposition. The length and the strength of the cable 151 are dimensionedin such a way that its elasticity is inadequate to retract the platform112 out of the central position if an operator is standing thereon.

Alternatively, referring to FIG. 8, a substantially nonelastic cable 154made, for instance, of nylon fiber (Perlon) or the like, can be securedto the platforms 112 at 153 and guided over a guide roller 155 mountedto a holding means 157 on the adjoining girder 91 and connected at 158with an elastic cord 156 made, for in stance, of rubber and being ofsubstantially identical length. The elastic cord 156 is connected to theopposite girder 91 at the holding means 157 for the guide roller 155 ofthe other platform 112. In this embodiment, the length of the elasticcord 156 can, for instance, be selected to be twice that indicated inaccordance with the example of FIG. 7. As a result, upon thedisplacement of the platform 112, the elastic cord 156 is tensioned withrespect to its length by an amount considerably less than that of thecord 151 (FIG. 7) so that the return force exerted on the platform 112with each occurring expansion of the cord by positioning of the platformremains substantially constant.

Referring to FIG. 4, the drive chains 59 for the warp beams 21,22,21,22'are guided over the deflecting roller pairs 61,62 to the chain wheels 98situated on the girders 107,108 and which are connected with the pinions99 engaging the gears 64. Each one of the cloth beams 26,26 is actuatedby two endless chains 119,119 One chain 119 is guided from the chainwheel over the pairs of deflecting rollers 68 and another pair ofdeflecting rollers (not shown in FIG. 4) arranged behind the deflectingrollers 62 to a chain wheel borne at the girder 109. This chain wheel115 is connected to a second chain wheel arranged on the same axis, fromwhich the other drive chain 119 is guided to the two chain wheels116,117, respectively connected with the guide rollers 24,25. Thedriving chain for the cloth beam 26 cannot be seen in FIG. 4 in view ofthe fact that it runs along the rear girders of the supporting structure110.

The transporting means for the replacement of the beams 21,22,26;21',22',26 is designed similarly to that shown in the examples accordingto FIGS. 1 and 2, with the difference that the girder 77 for the track79 running parallel to the axes of the beams is arranged along a linerunning between the loom 2 and its corresponding beams 21,22,26. Thegirders 81 and 81' carry respective runway rails 118 and 118 linked tothe guide track 79, which are arranged above the loom 2, respectively,above the supporting structure 110 and the loom 2. The arrangement ofthe tracks 118,118 with respect to the supporting structure 110corresponds to that of the tracks 82,83,84, 82',83',84' with respect tothe supporting structures 76,76 described above (FIG. 2).

Referring to FIG. 5 the weaving mill has looms 2 similar to thearrangement of FIG. 1, which are each provided with its own supportstructure 121 for the corresponding beams 21,22,26. Likewise, theweaving shed is provided with two rows of looms which face one anotherwith their warp sides (only one of which is illustrated). The loom 2 isarranged on two channelshaped girders 122, the legs of which faceinwardly and on which, at identical spacing from the loom side supports5,6, a vertically arranged channel shaped section 123 is mounted. Thegirder 123 is provided at the upper free end with a girder 124projecting like a bracket toward the right and being parallel to thegirder 122. The comers of this structure are reinforced by ribs 125 andby plates 126 covering the legs of the two support girders 122,123. Across beam 18 is secured to the plates 126 to join the two girders 122.The girders 122,123,124, and beam 18 constitute the support structure121 for the beams 21,22,26.

The outer bearings 19 for the shafts 20a,20 of the warp beams 21,22 aremounted on the plates 126 substantially at half elevation of the girders123. The intermediate bearings for the inner ends of the shafts 20a, 20are, as in the example in accordance with FIG. 4, mounted on asupporting means 50b attached to the cross beam'l8. The length of thegirder 124 is dimensioned in such a way as to project to the right asviewed in FIG. 5 a distance somewhat shorter than the spacing betweenthe shafts 20a,20, situated therebeneath, and

. the adjoining flange of the girder 123. The girder 124 carries theguide rollers 24,25 for the cloth beam 26 with the guide tubes 27thereof guided between the two channel shaped beams 16,17 carriedbetween the two girders 124.

An arm 127 is hingedly connected on each girder 124 around the axis ofthe guide roller 24 and is provided at the upper side with a lug 128. Atension spring 129 is attached at one end to the lug 128 and at theopposite end to a lug 130 on the girder 124 to balance the weight of thearm 127. The lower part of the girder 124 carries a stop element 131which projects toward the right as viewed in FIG. under the arm 127 andwhich carries a set screw 132 adjustable with respect to the arm 127. Adeflecting roller 134 is arranged at the free ends of the arms 127.

The warp is guided in a manner identical to that of the precedingexamples from the warp beams 21,22 over the deflecting rollers 33,34 tothe loom 2.

The finished fabric 30 is guided via the deflecting rollers 49 and adeflecting roller 133 carried on the free ends of the girders 122 on theside of the warp beams 21,22 facing away from the loom 2 along avertical path to the deflecting roller 134 and from there to the clothbeam 26 by partially looping the guide roller 24. Under the effect ofthe fabric tension, the arm 127 carrying the deflecting roller ispressed downwardly. The lowermost position of the arm 127 is determinedby the position of the setscrew 132. The spacing of the deflectingrollers 133,134 from the girder 123 is selected in such a way that thefabric 30 cannot touch the fully wound warp beams 21,22.

The drive of the warp beams 21,22 occurs by means of the drive chain 59guided as in the case of the other examples. As in the case of theexample in accordance with FIG. 4, the cloth beam 26 is actuated by twoendless drive chains 119,119. One drive chain 119 is guided over a pairof deflecting rollers (not shown), as in FIG. 5 behind the deflectingrollers 62, to the chain 1 wheel 115, and the other driving chain 1 19by a second warp beams. The support structure for the beams may also bearranged at the cloth side of the machine frame. Furthermore, a loomdesigned in accordance with the invention may comprise separatingdevices for the breaking up of the fabric web into several, for instancethree, partial webs. Such partial webs can be taken up on individualsegmented cloth beams of corresponding length which are situated next toone another on the guide rollers 24,25 and which are guided for instanceby a guide rod 27 continuous over the entire width of the machinebetween two respective locking rings 28.

In one embodiment of the invention, the warp and/or cloth beam made of asingle piece of consisting of several elements may be provided with adrive means separate from the drive of the loom. The warp can also beprovided with only a single braking device.

An embodiment is likewise conceivable in which the support structure forthe beams is not situated on the floor of the weaving shed but ismounted, for instance, to girders on the ceiling structure of thebuilding or possibly to supports thereof.

The platform accessible in the space 52 can likewise be designeddifferently. For instance, the platform situated on the girders 11,12,91may cover substantially the entire horizontal section of the warp yarns10. The platform can be designed'for lifting substantially along an axisrunning crosswise to the direction of travel of the warp, by means ofwhich in each case one-half section of the horizontal part of the warpyarns 10 is accessible. I

Instead of being supported on guide rollers, the platforms arrangedbetween the machine frame and the supporting structure may also besupported directly on the deflecting rollers for the warp and fabric, oron corresponding elements and may be guided, for instance, by means oflateral guides. In addition, to elastic tensioning means, the platformscan, for instance, be maintained in their rest positions at the sidesupports of the loom by means of correspondingly arranged and beams21,22 have been woven off, the fabric is cut off hoisting equipment 80.Then, the arm 127 is moved uppossibly weighted tensioning means.

platform is movable crosswise to the direction of travel of the warpyarns or the fabric. In this embodiment, the

1 platform is of a length which is preferably smaller than ward untilreaching the position 138 and maintained by the spring 129. g With thearm in upright position, the bearings 19,19c are readily accessible forthe removal of the warp beams 21,22 so that the hoisting hooks 86,following moving back of the yokes 19a, can readily be placed under theends of the shafts 20a,20. By means of a light lifting off by the hooks86, the shafts 20a, 20 are detached from the bearings 19,19c andsubsequently laterally removed (toward the right in the case of FIG. 5)and taken away over the guide tracks 82,79. Thereupon, first, the newwarp beams and then the new cloth beam are inserted.

The transport equipment for the warp and cloth beams can,for instance,be designed in such a way that the girders for the hoisting equipmentguide tracks are supported on the support structure for the beams.

7 Various modified embodiments of the invention are possible. Forinstance, the support structure pertaining to the loom may comprise awarp beam consisting of segmented sections of different width or elsetwo tiered one-half the width of the weave and is held at one side ofthe loom. Furthermore, an endless tensioning means can be attached tothe platform, which does notexert any return force on the platform butwhich is guided, for instance, over one guide roller arranged at therespective side girders of the loom or the support structure. In thisinstance, the platform can be moved to each one of the lateral girdersby means of pulling of one stringer or by rotating of one of the guiderollers.

V The invention thus provides a loom which can be equipped withsubstantially larger beams than before possible, the diameter of whichcan be selected independently of the elevation of the machine inaccordance with the respective operation conditions.

What is claimed is:

l. A loom having a machine frame for forming a cloth; a supportstructure spaced from said machine frame, said support structureincluding a plurality of superpositioned bearings; a warp beamjournalled in one of said bearings in said support structure; a clothbeam journalled in another of said bearings in said support structure invertical disposition relative to said warp beam; said support structuremounting said warp beam and said cloth beam thereon being spaced fromsaid machine frame to define an access space therebetween for a loomoperator; first guide means for directing the warp yarns on said warpbeam in a first substantially U- shaped path between said warp beam andsaid machine frame, said first path having a substantially horizontalportion disposed above the floor supporting said loom; and second guidemeans for directing the cloth on said machine frame in a secondsubstantially U-shaped path between said machine frame and said clothbeam and having a substantially horizontal portion disposed above thefloor.

2. A loom as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support structure is astructural unit.

3. A loom as set forth in claim 1 which further includes a moveableplatform between said beams and said machine frame in said access spaceover said horizontal portions of said first and second paths.

4. A loom as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first guide meansincludes a pair of guides disposed across said access space and whereinsaid platform includes a plurality of rotatably mounted guide rollersrollably mounted on said guides for longitudinal movement thereon.

5. A loom as set forth in claim 4 wherein said platform includes four ofsaid guide rollers at least two of said guide rollers having a bearingsurface thereon in mating relation with the respective one of saidguides.

6. A loom as set forth in claim 3 further comprising a holder mountedbetween said support structure and said machine frame; and an elasticcord connected to said holder and said platform to bias said platformtowards said holder.

7. A loom as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support structure isdisposed on the warp side of said machine frame and said first U-shapedpath for the warp yarns defines said access space with said second pathdisposed beneath said first path.

8. A loom as set forth in claim 7 further including a laterallydisplaceable moveable platform within said access space over saidhorizontal portion of said first path.

9. A loom as set forth in claim 8 wherein said guide means includes apair of guides disposed transversely of said first path in said accessspace, and wherein said platform includes a plurality of rotatable guiderollers mounted on said guides for longitudinal movement thereon.

10. A loom as set forth in claim 9 wherein at least two of said guiderollers have a bearing surface thereon complementary to said guides.

1 l. A loom as set forth in claim 1 further including a supportconnection supporting said machine frame and connected to said machineframe and said support structure, said support connection having aconnecting brace above said access space.

12. A loom as set forth in claim 1 further including a supportconnection between said machine frame and said supportstructureconnecting said support structure to said machine frame.

13. A loom as set forth in claim 12 wherein said support connectionincludes a plurality of interconnected girders, and wherein said machineframe is supported on said girders.

14. A loom as set forth in claim 13 wherein said machine frame issupported on an inclined plane on said girders.

15. A loom as set forth in claim 12 wherein said support connectionsupports said support structure and said machine frame thereon andfurther supports a second support structure and a second loom machineframe thereon in spaced relation, said machine frames being disposed onopposite ends of said support connection.

16. A loom as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support structure. iscommon to an adjacent loom, and includes a pair of warp beams joumalledin a respective pair of said bearings and a pair of cloth beams journalled in another respective pair of said bearings.

17. A loom as set forth in claim 16 further including a pair of drivemeans, each drive means being operatively connected to a respective oneof said warp beams and a respective one of said cloth beams.

18. A loom as set forth in claim 17 wherein each said drive means isdriven from the drive of a respective loom.

19. A loom as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support structurefurther includes a pivotally mounted arm over said warp beam, said armhaving a guide at one end for guiding the cloth from said machine frameonto said cloth beam and a spring connected to said arm biasing said armaway from said warp beam.

20. A loom having a machine frame for forming a cloth; a supportstructure spaced from said machine frame, said support structureincluding a plurality of bearings; a warp beam joumalled in one of saidhearings in said support structure; a cloth beam journailed in anotherof said bearings in said support structure in vertical dispositionrelative to said warp beam; said support structure mounting said warpbeam and said cloth beam thereon being spaced from said machine frame todefine an access space therebetween for a loom operator; first guidemeans for directing the warp yarns on said warp beam in a firstsubstantially U- shaped path between said warp beam and said machineframe, said first path having a substantially horizontal portiondisposed above the floor supporting said loom; and second guide meansfor directing the cloth on said machine frame in a second substantiallyU-shaped path between said machine frame and said cloth beam and havinga substantially horizontal portion disposed above the floor.

21. A loom having a machine frame for forming a cloth; a supportstructure spaced from said machine frame; a warp beam; means journallingsaid warp beam in said support structure; a cloth beam; meansjournalling said cloth beam in said support structure in verticaldisposition relative to said warp beam; said support structure mountingsaid warp beam and said cloth beam being spaced from said machine frameto define an access space therebetween for a loom operator; first guidemeans for directing the warp yarns on said warp beam in a firstsubstantially U-shaped path between said warp beam and said machineframe, said first path having a substantially horizontal portiondisposed above the floor supporting said loom; and second guide meansfor directing the cloth on said machine frame in a second. substantiallyU-shaped path between said machine frame and said cloth beam and havinga substantially horizontal portion disposed below said horizontalportion of said first path.

1. A loom having a machine frame for forming a cloth; a supportstructure spaced from said machine frame, said support structureincluding a plurality of superpositioned bearings; a warp beamjournalled in one of said bearings in said support structure; a clothbeam journalled in another of said bearings in said support structure invertical disposition relative to said warp beam; said support structuremounting said warp beam and said cloth beam thereon being spaced fromsaid machine frame to define an access space therebetween for a loomoperator; first guide means for directing the warp yarns on said warpbeam in a first substantially U-shaped path between said warp beam andsaid machine frame, said first path having a substantially horizontalportion disposed above the floor supporting said loom; and second guidemeans for directing the cloth on said machine frame in a secondsubstantially U-shaped path between said machine frame and said clothbeam and having a substantially horizontal portion disposed above thefloor.
 2. A loom as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support structureis a structural unit.
 3. A loom as set forth in claim 1 which furtherincludes a moveable platform between said beams and said machine framein said access space over said horizontal portions of said first andsecond paths.
 4. A loom as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first guidemeans includes a pair of guides disposed across said access space andwherein said platform includes a plurality of rotatably mounted guiderollers rollably mounted on said guides for longitudinal movementthereon.
 5. A loom as set forth in claim 4 wherein said platformincludes four of said guide rollers at least two of said guide rollershaving a bearing surface thereon in mating relation with the respectiveone of said guides.
 6. A loom as set forth in claim 3 further comprisinga holder mounted between said support structure and said machine frame;and an elastic cord connected to said holder and said platform to biassaid platform towards said holder.
 7. A loom as set forth in claim 1wherein said support structure is disposed on the warp side of saidmachine frame and said first U-shaped path for the warp yarns definessaid access space with said second path disposed beneath said firstpath.
 8. A loom as set forth in claim 7 further including a laterallydisplaceable moveable platform within said access space over saidhorizontal portion of said first path.
 9. A loom as set forth in claim 8wherein said guide means includes a pair of guides disposed transverselyof said first path in said access space, and wherein said platformincludes a plurality of rotatable guide rollers mounted on said guidesfor longitudinal movement thereon.
 10. A loom as set forth in claim 9wherein at least two of said guide rollers have a bearing surfacethereon complementary to said guides.
 11. A loom as set forth in claim 1further including a support connection supporting said machine frame andconnected to said machine frame and said support structure, said supportconnection having a connecting brace above said access space.
 12. A loomas set forth in claim 1 further including a support connection betweensaid machine frame and said support structure connecting said supportstructure to said machine frame.
 13. A loom as set forth in claim 12wherein said support connection includes a plurality of interconnectedgirders, and wherein said machine frame is supported on said girders.14. A loom as set forth in claim 13 wherein said machine frame issupported on an inclined plane on said girders.
 15. A loom as set forthin claim 12 wherein said support connection supports said supportstructure and said machine frame thereon and further supports a secondsupport structure and a second loom maChine frame thereon in spacedrelation, said machine frames being disposed on opposite ends of saidsupport connection.
 16. A loom as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidsupport structure is common to an adjacent loom, and includes a pair ofwarp beams journalled in a respective pair of said bearings and a pairof cloth beams journalled in another respective pair of said bearings.17. A loom as set forth in claim 16 further including a pair of drivemeans, each drive means being operatively connected to a respective oneof said warp beams and a respective one of said cloth beams.
 18. A loomas set forth in claim 17 wherein each said drive means is driven fromthe drive of a respective loom.
 19. A loom as set forth in claim 1wherein said support structure further includes a pivotally mounted armover said warp beam, said arm having a guide at one end for guiding thecloth from said machine frame onto said cloth beam and a springconnected to said arm biasing said arm away from said warp beam.
 20. Aloom having a machine frame for forming a cloth; a support structurespaced from said machine frame, said support structure including aplurality of bearings; a warp beam journalled in one of said bearings insaid support structure; a cloth beam journalled in another of saidbearings in said support structure in vertical disposition relative tosaid warp beam; said support structure mounting said warp beam and saidcloth beam thereon being spaced from said machine frame to define anaccess space therebetween for a loom operator; first guide means fordirecting the warp yarns on said warp beam in a first substantiallyU-shaped path between said warp beam and said machine frame, said firstpath having a substantially horizontal portion disposed above the floorsupporting said loom; and second guide means for directing the cloth onsaid machine frame in a second substantially U-shaped path between saidmachine frame and said cloth beam and having a substantially horizontalportion disposed above the floor.
 21. A loom having a machine frame forforming a cloth; a support structure spaced from said machine frame; awarp beam; means journalling said warp beam in said support structure; acloth beam; means journalling said cloth beam in said support structurein vertical disposition relative to said warp beam; said supportstructure mounting said warp beam and said cloth beam being spaced fromsaid machine frame to define an access space therebetween for a loomoperator; first guide means for directing the warp yarns on said warpbeam in a first substantially U-shaped path between said warp beam andsaid machine frame, said first path having a substantially horizontalportion disposed above the floor supporting said loom; and second guidemeans for directing the cloth on said machine frame in a secondsubstantially U-shaped path between said machine frame and said clothbeam and having a substantially horizontal portion disposed below saidhorizontal portion of said first path.